Haich
Superstar
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2017
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If you as a Christian don’t turn the other cheek, are you committing a sin?A few things
- turning the other cheek is the ideal. Do we meet the ideal? Mostly no.
Some of us may have glimpsed for a moment "the kingdom of heaven" when, having been in a situation which would have resulted in retaliation, the choice to turn the other cheek was taken. It is an indescribable, but fleeting, feeling.
However, this is a choice, not something under duress. Not giving over our coat out of fear for our life, but out of pure love. No coercion whatsoever.
But like i said in my previous reply, even amongst other Christians this is a difficult subject. So, given the limitations of online writer language, i don't expect what i said to make sense...
- people in the Bible belt, or anywhere for that matter, are not an example of what the Bible says. Some of these states are also the most uncharitable towards their neighbors, for example. There is a stong calvinistic undercurrent, that those who are less fortunate are somehow hated by God and their poverty is somehow proof of this, it's messed up . The issue is complex, but ultimately judging the Bible by what people (who are often not going by the Bible, but by what their pastors say) do is unfair.
- as for why teach something if no one follows it, the Bible is full of teachings that people ignore. People steal, murder, commit adultery and other forms of immorality, etc. Just because people are wiked does not mean the Bible is wrong for calling out sin and teaching a different way.
In Christianity, a martyr is a person who has been killed for professing their faith in Jesus Christ, or for refusing to renounce Him. The word "martyr" does not refer to every murdered Christian, but Christians which are killed specifically because of their faith.
Christians have been martyred since during biblical times. This has continued thoughout the history of Christianity
The Bible tells us that during the endtimes many will be martyred
Revelation 6
9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled
Ch 13 of the book of Revelation, the chapter that discusses the mark of the beast, has this to say.
7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints
I’m sorry what are you talking about when you say seeing a ‘glimpse of the kingdom’? Are you saying you have a vision before thinking of sinning to deter you from the sin?
I didn’t say Christians on the Bible Belt are examples of what the Bible says. I’m pointing to the fact that you have stated turning the other cheek is the ideal, yet so many American Christians have guns and defend themselves. Doesn’t it occur to you that the standard the Bible wants you to live by (in terms of turning the other cheek) is such an unrealistic and unattainable standard that hardly anybody practises it?
It’s like when you’re given a worldly issue or problem, you have no problem reacting to it in a natural manner, for example if your home or property or family (God Forbid) were under attack, you know full well you would defend yourself instinctively. But the Bible preaches otherwise and you’re defending it without actually pondering on whether it’s possible to turn a blind eye to everyday threats?